Developers: Apple ignored our warnings about iOS 6 Maps

Resorted to e-mailing Apple engineers in hopes of addressing problems

The public backlash over iOS 6 Maps continues: developers are coming out of the woodwork claiming they warned Apple about quality issues before launch. A new report at CNET highlights stories from six third-party developers who say they tried to tell Apple about bugs in Maps, only to find themselves ignored. The statements echo the grumblings from other developers about Maps, in addition to what several Apple engineers told Ars last week as part of our feature on Apple's internal culture.

The developers speaking to CNET asked not to be named because they have apps in the App Store, some of which rely on Apple's MapKit framework for their own products. They tell stories of woe about filing bug reports in Apple's Radar system, making posts in the company's private developer forums, and even e-mailing Apple engineers directly about their concerns. One source claims an Apple employee told him the issue was "well understood."

Indeed, based on our interviews with a number of Apple employees, the issue was understood—at least on the engineering level. "It was clear to anybody who would use it, even in the iOS betas, that Maps looks pretty bad," one source told Ars. "If someone had showed that to Steve, he would've said, 'This looks like shit.' He would have actually said that. Tim did the right thing by apologizing, but the better thing would've been, like, 'We can't ship this.'"

Apple CEO Tim Cook published a public apology for the quality of Maps less than two weeks ago, suggesting a handful of alternatives for users who want to try something else. But when we went hands-on with those apps, we didn't come away feeling particularly impressed by the alternatives, either. I have defaulted to a mixed-use scenario: I use Google Maps mobile for most of my day-to-day use (because I rely heavily on transit directions and I feel Google's online solution is the closest thing to iOS 5's Maps as we can get), while using iOS 6 Maps for general lookups and occasional driving directions. But using two apps for mapping instead of just one isn't ideal, so here's to hoping Apple ships some of those promised updates sooner rather than later.

There were some abominations released under Steve that were fixed later. That's not a new thing for them, and whatever internally motivated this is apparently a bigger deal than PR around an initially poor app.

Perhaps Apple should issue an iOS 6.0.1 release, with Google Maps reinstated as it was in iOS 5, as a short term measure until Apple's own mapping is sorted.

It would be a major admission of failure (albeit Tim Cook has already done this, with his apology), but at the same time it would be a massive gesture of goodwill towards their customers. And then when Apple Maps is sorted they can reinstate it in version 6.1

I must say, I wish someone would find out the whole story behind Apple ditching Google Maps so fervently. Something tells me Google was not complacent in the matter, and something else tells me that it wasn't just Apple's arrogance.

Between my wife's iPhone 5 and my S3, if we're out n about together, I'm pulling the nav duties. And it's getting old.

With all the knashing of teeth and beating of breasts over this map "issue" one would be excused for thinking that smartphone users are hopelessly inept at finding their way around the world. Really people, what the frack did you do before you had a mobile brain?

Perhaps Apple should issue an iOS 6.0.1 release, with Google Maps reinstated as it was in iOS 5, as a short term measure until Apple's own mapping is sorted....Whatever it costs financially (and to Apple's pride) surely the customers (of which I am one) deserve this?

Why? Apple's customers will buy whatever they put out, and defend it to the death.

Until customers actually vote with their wallets, Apple has no reason to care about our opinions.

At this point, I'm starting to believe that a lot of people are making up Maps Mishaps just so they can chime in on this ridiculous story.

Agree'd, they're not perfect -- but even the article above admits that there really isn't 'great' maps app available at the moment. All the alternatives blow even harder than the iOS app and frankly, the benefits that Vector-based mapping brings to the table (especially for those without cell/3G service) vastly out-weight the handful of negatives (many of which can easily be found in Googles offerings as well).

A few years back, Google (and subsequently Apple) dropped support for Skyhooks Wi-Fi Location database and overnight the iPhone OS was unable to find over half of the WiFi Base-station Locations that it could just 24hrs earlier... Where was the all-encompassing press coverage about that? Developers went off the handle, Google and Apple received a ton of flack -- but alas, let's just pick on the one company trying to push technology further and create truly useful, long-term, solutions.

Not trying to troll here, but we all knew how bad maps were in the ios6 beta and people said, "It's just a beta, they'll fix it," when we knew that major glaring errors in the program meant there was going to be a lot of other stuff wrong at launch. They couldn't fix all of it by Sept.

With all the knashing of teeth and beating of breasts over this map "issue" one would be excused for thinking that smartphone users are hopelessly inept at finding their way around the world. Really people, what the frack did you do before you had a mobile brain?

Its not finding your way around per-say.. BUT actually finding anything. The search abilities for the new Maps app is appalling! Unless you know the exact spelling, state, and even country (sometimes) it will shoot you off to the middle of south america or some other part of the world.....

Bottom line - even if the data was good (and its not) you cant find anything without doing a lot of work... Search is the most important feature on a mapping application, otherwise I would just use an atlas...

Perhaps Apple should issue an iOS 6.0.1 release, with Google Maps reinstated as it was in iOS 5, as a short term measure until Apple's own mapping is sorted....Whatever it costs financially (and to Apple's pride) surely the customers (of which I am one) deserve this?

Why? Apple's customers will buy whatever they put out, and defend it to the death.

Until customers actually vote with their wallets, Apple has no reason to care about our opinions.

That's a fair point.I myself have an iPhone 4 that is out of contract, but I have not bought an iPhone 5 or even upgraded my existing phone to iOS 6 for this very reason.I've done as much as one person can...

I don't about where these people are, but in Maryland the map is pretty darn good.Turn by turn works for me every day, and i haven't found any errors. In fact, I use the new map way more than Googles crippled map with out turn by turn.

I have to say that Tim Cook's apology was pretty pathetic. "We are sorry, but really it is awesome" was how it read. One line of "sorry" a whole paragraph of "We worked really hard to give you the best maps experience possible" with now "but we fell short" at the end.

At this point, I'm starting to believe that a lot of people are making up Maps Mishaps just so they can chime in on this ridiculous story.

Agree'd, they're not perfect -- but even the article above admits that there really isn't 'great' maps app available at the moment. All the alternatives blow even harder than the iOS app and frankly, the benefits that Vector-based mapping brings to the table (especially for those without cell/3G service) vastly out-weight the handful of negatives (many of which can easily be found in Googles offerings as well).

FYI, Google maps had vector technology since Dec of 2010 for android. And those with version 1.6 could use it. But if you are referring to ios only alternatives, point made then.

Quote:

A few years back, Google (and subsequently Apple) dropped support for Skyhooks Wi-Fi Location database and overnight the iPhone OS was unable to find over half of the WiFi Base-station Locations that it could just 24hrs earlier... Where was the all-encompassing press coverage about that? Developers went off the handle, Google and Apple received a ton of flack -- but alas, let's just pick on the one company trying to push technology further and create truly useful, long-term, solutions.

"We can't ship this" ... except the maps contract with Google ran out in 9 months, and Google was keeping all the best new features for itself (turn-by-turn) while using data generated by Apple users to improve the Android experience. What would you do, keep bending over and say "Sure, renew the contract. You're killing us now, why not do it some more!"

Apple made the right choice here. The old maps app was 100% useless unless you only walked everywhere. There may be a few glitches here and there but at least it has turn-by-turn navigation that drivers can actually use.

Any time I read "Steve would have..." I immediately dismiss the rest of the statement or article. Steve did great things, but he was not the infallible idealist god that people are making him out to be. Steve shipped beta stuff. He shipped "hobbies". He shipped silly products (Blue Dalmatian, G4 Cube, iPod HiFi, etc).

Let's coin Jobs' Law - "Once you invoke 'Steve would have', you lose the argument".

At this point, I'm starting to believe that a lot of people are making up Maps Mishaps just so they can chime in on this ridiculous story.

Agree'd, they're not perfect -- but even the article above admits that there really isn't 'great' maps app available at the moment. All the alternatives blow even harder than the iOS app and frankly, the benefits that Vector-based mapping brings to the table (especially for those without cell/3G service) vastly out-weight the handful of negatives (many of which can easily be found in Googles offerings as well).

FYI, Google maps had vector technology since Dec of 2010 for android. And those with version 1.6 could use it. But if you are referring to ios only alternatives, point made then.

Indeed, I was referring only to iOS -- but you hit my point right on the head. Android has had Vector and Turn-by-Turn for years, but Google refused to let Apple use these features, instead forcing them to deliver a sub-standard product.

Combined with Google Map's new licensing fraud, I mean fees, Apple (and a large number of web-apps that were using Google's Maps) had little choice but to find their own, long-term strategy. In this case, OpenSteetMap combined with their own data and technology.

Are there mistakes? Sure, but show me a Maps solution that doesn't. As stated, I'd rather this than have Fandroids keep holding Turn-by-Turn Directions over my head for another couple of years.

So far, I haven't run into any problems with Maps, and I use it frequently to find my way around the areas of Portland I'm less familiar with. I fully understand that Portland is a big, well populated city, so is most likely pretty well mapped. The spoken turn-by-turn directions are a damn sight better than the "read it if you can" directions of the old app.

It works well for me. Voting with my wallet? Accomplished. I think that's kind of the up and down of the situation in a nutshell: The majority of the people are having no problems. There's a vocal minority who (rightfully) are pissed that their previously functional and reliable device is now less reliable, and (arguably) less functional. Apple has a problem that all big companies have: Satisfy the majority with minimal cost, while not pissing off the minority so much that the squeaky wheel starts damaging their goodwill. They obviously missed on this one.

This is getting old. Apple released a product - one requring accurate data for every road and highway on the planet - that wasn't perfect. We all know this. Again, the app itself is fine, it's the data that's bad and honestly, it's tremendously difficult to gather and manage this huge amount of data. The data will get better in time.

I'm glad I've waited, as usual, and not updated my phone OS just because I could. I don't plan on doing so until podcasts and maps are fixed.

I actually don't plan on ever upgrading this phone. As it stands on my iPhone 4, iOS 6 is basically nothing but downgrades. Essentially all the cool new iOS 6 features are 4S and up only (turn-by-turn nav, flyover, siri, facetime over 3G, panoramic photos...). So what features do I gain with my new feature-stripped maps app? Passbook? No thanks.

I was once a loyal Apple fan, but now...not at all. Every company has the right to make mistakes, but at least pretend that you want to make the customer...bill payers happy. Apple has become such an arrogant company, especially if you consider alot of their tech to be subpar. Sure most of it has a nice screen...but that is where it ends. If you want to be an iSheep, that is great...stand by your preferences; however you should remember how hard you worked for your money and demand that your tech manufacturer provide you with the best product possible. I also noticed that how brainwashed Apple fans are...there are many posts here that say basically Apple has a problem with Maps...it gets a positive like...if the post says basically the same thing, but shows a bit of Android preference, it gets a negative dislike...so sad many Apple fans can't think for themselves. Prime example is Korpo and Pitmonster are speak of the same subject, just starting at different ends and meeting in the middle...one gets likes and the other gets dislikes...so brainwashed....

Has anyone seen if the Cook's platitude about "the more you use it the better it will get" is true? Are they actually fixing any of the problems with it?

I see the Brooklyn Bridge still looks like a strip of bacon and the Washington Monument is still across the road from itself, to cite some of the more infamous faults.

It is bad enough that they released a buggy app, but it is worse that they are not seeming to make any effort to fix it.

I can only speak to my area of Chicago, but I have noticed that half a dozen of the problems I reported have been fixed in the last week or so. What Apple honestly needs to do is hire people to go around neighborhoods, literally on the ground, and input/update/correct information for businesses, schools, and other locations. It will be expensive, but the effort paid off for Google in spades, since it's now considered the gold standard in online mapping—despite the fact that it occasionally has its own errors.

The problem isn't that Maps is bad, it's that they shipped iOS 6 with it in that state. It should have held up the release. That is all Apple's fault, as it was their decision to ship anyway. Or, they should have come to an agreement with Google and patched Maps in later. Simple as that.

I recognize and understand that there are a number of people who, if Steve Jobs had taken a crap and rolled it in sugar and called it a cookie, would still buy it. Some of us expect better in our business dealings. All of this, to me, shows that Apple really is heading more sharply towards the "cancerous" corporate model...... max profit NOW, forget the consequences.

Has anyone seen if the Cook's platitude about "the more you use it the better it will get" is true? Are they actually fixing any of the problems with it?

I see the Brooklyn Bridge still looks like a strip of bacon and the Washington Monument is still across the road from itself, to cite some of the more infamous faults.

It is bad enough that they released a buggy app, but it is worse that they are not seeming to make any effort to fix it.

I can only speak to my area of Chicago, but I have noticed that half a dozen of the problems I reported have been fixed in the last week or so. What Apple honestly needs to do is hire people to go around neighborhoods, literally on the ground, and input/update/correct information for businesses, schools, and other locations. It will be expensive, but the effort paid off for Google in spades, since it's now considered the gold standard in online mapping—despite the fact that it occasionally has its own errors.

Obviously no mapping solution is perfect, but this is what they need. This wouldn't be so much sold an issue of Apple maps was close to Google's maps AND POI data.Apple has a huge war chest. Dig into it!